Buna John Powell

             Mr. Buna John ‘Buddy’ Powell, 79, of Bermuda Run, NC, passed away Sunday, June 7, 2026, in Morehead City, NC. He was born November 8, 1946, in Villa Rica, GA. John graduated from Buford High School in Buford, GA, and from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Immediately after graduating, he joined R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company where he had a distinguished career of 33 years. He started in field sales in Georgia, progressed to Promotions at the headquarters in Winston-Salem, NC, and retired as the Director of Lifestyle Marketing. He was a key member of the Sports Marketing leadership team and oversaw marketing programs, including music concerts, NASCAR races, rodeos, and hydroplane boat races. He also served in the U.S. Army National Guard for 6 years in the 1970s. John was gregarious, humorous, patriotic, and a loyal friend. He enjoyed many interests, including aviation, music, and boating. He piloted his own Piper Archer II airplane (N1191H) for over 20 years at Twin Lakes Airport. He was also a talented bluegrass musician, playing the guitar and banjo, and performed with his friends at numerous fiddler’s conventions. Atlantic Beach, NC, on the Southern Outer Banks, was his home away from home where he enjoyed visiting with friends and family, boating, and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack Wheeler Powell and Myra Lowry Powell. 
            Surviving are his loving companion, Sandy Hamel of Winston-Salem, NC; sister, Dr. Nancy Powell Dixon of Cleveland, TN; three children: Adam Powell (Anita) of Eugene, MO; Annesley Adams (Bill) of Dallas, GA; and Alan Powell (Danielle) of Oldsmar, FL; seven grandchildren: Joshua Powell, Amanda McBee (Travis), Caleb Burley (Amy), Liam Adams, Beth Adams, Celine Powell, and James Powell; eight great-grandchildren; nephew, Pete Dixon of Vancouver, WA; niece, Susan Shaver (Mike) and their two daughters of Cleveland, TN.
             A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13, 2026, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel with Rev. Chuck Smith of Clemmons United Methodist Church officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery in Villa Rica, GA, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes your contribution to St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota at www.stjo.org.